I recently visited my parents in Bend, Oregon with my husband, Ty.  A few days before the visit I received a huge order from a community college bookstore for 45 journals, all due within the week.  If you’ve never made a book from scratch, I’ll tell you right now that it’s no easy task: it takes time to let glue dry in-between steps, there’s tons of paper measuring an cutting, there’s board sanding and paper/binding design, and millions of details.  But I was determined to get it done, so I planned to do it while visiting my parents.

After ordering a 30 lb. box of supplies to be delivered to my parents house the next day (complete with mile-high shipping costs), I packed 2 huge boxes of supplies.  I called the Bend homestead to warn them of the project I’d be undertaking, and let them know that the majority of my time there would be spent elbow-deep in paper.

Our Jeep was filled with boxes, tubed rolls of paper and paper cutters, my camera and our luggage.  My poor dog Spencer was crammed into a tiny space in the back seat, bless his heart!  The trip over the mountains was an eventful drive over ice, through light snowfalls, and I must thank my wonderful husband for driving slowly and safely and for putting up with my gasps and my yelps of “SLOW DOWN!” every few minutes.  Luckily, we arrived safely.  And  in one crammed piece.

My parents greeted us with open arms, waiting on the front porch like always.  As my dad hugged me he said, “I’ve got to show you what I set up for you!”

He led me to the garage where he had cleared a large space,  set up a table and a bright project light.  The cd player was playing holiday music, the space heater was blazing and various tools were ready for my use.  This was such a sweet (and very appreciated) gesture!  My million-dollar delivery box was waiting for me, and after family updates, a piece of leftover pizza and a slobbery kiss from my parents’ pug, I got to work.

I set up my work area with haste: I had two good work days to get my project complete.  I cut my paper pieces, I cut my ribbons and I measured my boards.  After about two hours of work I was ready to move to the gluing stage.  I dug through my supplies, and only found an old bottle that was nearly empty.  I found the shipping box, which didn’t contain any of the 6 bottles I had ordered.  I became frantic. I can’t make even a single book without that specialty goo. Where was my glue?!?

I pulled out the itemized shipping list, and there, at the bottom, in teeny font, was a single, terrible sentence: In freezing temperatures, glue cannot be shipped, as our glue’s properties change.  Charges for glue have been returned.

I tried to keep my cool as I stared at that awful news.  Why didn’t I know that it couldn’t be shipped?!?  Why didn’t they call me and tell me?!?  Where could I get glue in the middle of Oregon, with no bookbinding supply stores for 200 miles?!?  What would happen to my order?!?  I was shaking, my hands were wringing and I started to feel faint.

After a few hours of online research, a few phone calls from my dad to local craft stores and quite a few crazy-girl, freakout moments, I found my only option: a craft store in Eugene.  I called them and blurted my freakout dilemma and they told me they could hold thier last 6 bottles of glue until close, at 6pm.  I looked at my watch. 2 o’clock.  ”Thank you so much,” I said to the salesperson as I hung up the phone.  Eugene was two and a half hours away, over icy mountains.   I think that then and there, sitting in the swivel chair at the computer in the office at my parents’ house, there I reached the pinnacle of my freaked-outness.

Ty came in, rubbed my shoulders and asked, “Hey baby.  What’s going on?”  Through tears, wheezing and an almost indesipherable rant I told him about the glue, the store in Eugene and about my level of anxiety.

“I just started my business and I’m being irresponsible and they’re counting on me and I hate driving in the snow and ice and I should have known and now I have all this stuff and no way to make journals and I’m screwed!” I wailed.

Ty stood me up and hugged me.  After another crying bout, he wiped my slimy tears off my cheeks, took my shoulders in his hands, and looked into my eyes with a calm, loving look.

“Here’s what’s going to happen.  You’re going to go back to your work, and keep going.  Do whatever you can that doesn’t take glue.  If I leave now, I’ll make it to Eugene before the store closes,” he said.

I was so relieved!  Ty was wonderful, I knew already.  But things like this just make me realize just how wonderful he is.  I felt guitly and worried about the drive and still anxious, but I knew then that it would be okay.

I sniffled and shuffled back into the garage, and began to work.  My mom made Ty a thermos of coffee and a sandwich and he left.   I might be able to make my deadline after all!  Soon after the cutting began, my mother came into the garage and handed me cheese and crackers and hot tea.   I nibbled and listened to Jingle Bells, and worked and worked.

Six hours after he left, Ty returned with the glue.  I thanked him and told him I owed him forever and ever, and I gave him a squeezing hug that knocked the wind out of him.

“You don’t owe me.  Just know that if someone drives six hours over the icy mountains just to get you glue, well…he must love you a whole lot.”

And I do: my dad set up a work space for me with music, my mom made ty roadtrip snacks and brought me snacks as well, and Ty braved the mountain’s dangers to bring me 6 bottles of glue.    I love my family.  And they prove, time and again, they love me.

Oh, and after two days and one sleepless night, I finished.  The journals were beautiful, and they’ll carry an untold story with a theme of family and love to their owners.

The last ten years were a hell of a trial, though I had some good moments, too.  In fact, three great moments — you’ll be able to figure them out, I’m sure.

2000:  Continued in community college til September.  Moved to Ashland.  Became a wreck.  Stuck it out for a while.  Bad stuff.

2001:  Moved back to Bend, started over.  Long, slow recovery.  Helped out my stepdad at the Grehound station on Hwy. 97.  Got a job at Regal Old Mill 10.  September came along, began a change in me.  Began talking to Marine recruiter, started trying to lose weight.

2002:  No go for the Marines.  Still too fat.  Music really starts to suck.  Quit Regal in January, felt underappreciated.  Unemployed til March, pick up dishwashing gig at Victorian Cafe.  Not bad, then new owner.  Find security job in April.  Like it better.

2003:  Go to London at the beginning of the year.  Flippin’ fantastic.  Then … well, see post No One to Tell.  Come home, get picked up at the airport by two strange, sexy ladies.  Sleep on their floor that night — alone.  Watch True Lies the next morning while waiting for my ride home.  Think about the golden-brown haired girl who kept trying to feed me.  Ride out the rest of the year working at Mt. Bachelor and teaching myself to snowboard.

2004:  Nothing, then May.  Fall in love on Memorial Day.  Move into the golden-brown haired girl’s house.  She feeds me.  Propose on August 10.  Live in bliss, even while broke.  Move into our own apartment, away from roomies, in September.  Work as dishwasher … again.

2005:  Become a security guard with big, useless company, wear cheap polyester suit.  Try my hand at loss prevention, quit on ethical grounds.  Become bouncer.  Never again.  Get married to the golden-brown haired girl on August 20.  Become residential counselor in November.  

2006:  Continue working as residential counselor.  Love my simple life.  Golden-brown haired wife informs me she’s pregnant in August.  Very excited.  Get fired from counselor job in October.  Move to California in December.

2007:  Start new life in California.  Become security guard again.  Begin to forge a path.  Son is born in May.  Very happy, still broke.  Keep moving forward.

2008:  Still working hard.  Quit the first guard job, start another full-time.  Armed.  Better work.  Work is all I do this year, with the exception of a vaction to Tahoe for three days in May with the golden-brown haired wife.  Son turns one. 

2009:  Job starts sliding downhill — read the tea leaves.  Jump ship in July, begin work as another type of security.  Fantastic gig.  Receive promotion in October.  Fighting hard to keep this one.  Son is two, acts it every day.  Love the golden-brown haired girl more every day.

Today, I’m looking to the future with a fresh set of eyes.  No longer can I sit by and hope for the best.  This is the year that things change for the better.

RHONDAL MCKINNEY
January 9 – February 13, 2010
(John Albok Gallery)

Artist Reception
Saturday, January 9, 2010
From 5 – 8 PM

ESTEBAN PASTORINO DIAZ

Extended through February 13, 2010

Being that we live in South Western Ontario, we all know what our winters are like.  Snow, snow, snow and more snow, and there is a good chance that you will have to shovel your driveway at least a few times this year.  Unfortunately, the way in which people shovel their snow tends to put their backs in a very vulnerable position resulting in many snow shovelling back injuries. 

What I’m going to do for you today is give you some proper snow shovelling techniques so that you can avoid those nasty back injuries this winter.

So before we review what proper snow shovelling technique is, let’s first discuss what improper shovelling technique is.

Improper shovelling technique occurs when you bend forward at the waist, scooping the snow, lifting with the back at the waist, and tossing the snow over the side while standing stationary and rotating at the level of your lower back. 

This improper technique increases the work load on your lower back, and can lead to lumbar spine sprain/strain or even worse a herniation of a lumbar spine disc.

Proper shovelling technique is as follows. 

The first thing to remember is to remove the snow more frequently rather than waiting for the snow to pile up. 

The second thing to remember is to choose a proper shovel.  A light weight (good quality) plastic shovel that is non-stick is ideal for light powder snow.  In such an instance you should push the snow from the center of the driveway off to the outer edges of the driveway. 

Try to avoid throwing the snow.  But if you must throw the snow, position yourself directly in front of the area you wish to throw the snow, bend at your knees while keeping your back straight.  Then pick up your load of snow and lift the snow and throw the snow in front of you with your knees and arms while keeping your back straight. 

Avoid rotation at all costs! 

Another key point to keep in mind while throwing the snow is to exhale (breathe out) when lifting and throwing the snow.  This will minimize internal pressures within your body avoiding internal injuries and it will give you that extra strength you may need.

If you feel tired while shovelling the snow, you should take a break for a moment or two every 10 to 15 minutes. 

Remember to dress warm, and wear boots with good treads. 

Happy Shovelling!

To learn more about how a safe, gentle and scientific, Chiropractic adjustment could TRANSFORM your health contact your chiropractor.  If you are interested in a complimentary consultation, CALL  The Family Chiropractic Centre, 519-837-1234. 

 I’m Dr. Frank Dallan, educating you to help you educate others !

Home, well home is lovely. Bend is the best place to be able to call home, yet no snow right now. So lame. But on a better note off to Portland and Eugene to adventure around the next few days after Christmas. Christmas with no snow, just doesn’t seem right here. Good to see everyone, same old same old though. Kinda ready to be back in DC.

And I have now decided I want to go to all of these places before I die. Check it out

Cool shit

Wy’East Resource Conservation & Development and  NeighborImpact have teamed up to map out Central Oregon’s food resources. They have decided to include the community in this process, and you can help! Log onto http://www.communitywalk.com/ to include your resources. For detailed instructions and more information about the project, visit http://centraloregonfood.blogspot.com/.

Mapping Food Systems in Central Oregon.

Getting There

We drove to the Philadelphia Airport in a downpour with limited visibility. Even the overhang couldn’t protect us from getting drenched as we stepped out of the car at the airport to unload our luggage: One suitcase, two carry-ons, and, of course, two bicycles. For any trip this would be considered a bad omen; for any trip except travel for cyclocross, that is.

As we stepped outside the airport in Portland, the chilly air greeted us like a grim interrogator: stiff, strong, and straight to the point. Moving along the road from Portland to Bend, I couldn’t help but find the landscapes awe-inspiring. The gigantic presence of Mt. Hood, the imposing calm of the pine forest, and the amazing emptiness of the high desert stole a breath or two.

Up until the last 15 miles of the trip, aside from Mt. Hood, the roads had remained devoid of snow. But as we came nearer to Bend, the landscape slowly changed to white. I vaguely guessed that maybe god had wanted this race to be an epic adventure, a grand time playing in the snow. In hindsight, I think the snow may have been the bidding of the devil.

That evening, I unpacked my bikes and geared up for a night ride. I had my trusty headlight and at least three blinkies and I knew precisely how much I would have to wear for my 30 minute jaunt. What could possibly go wrong?

The temperature was somewhere around 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit as I ventured out onto the roadways of Bend. As my legs warmed up, my bike began to freeze, literally. I first noticed that my bike had difficulty shifting, then the front end of the bike began to feel sluggish, almost like a flat tire. I stopped and checked, but the tire was fine. I spun the handlebars, only to find that they wouldn’t turn. The cold must have frozen the grease on the internal bearings.

I returned to the cheap motel room that my dad and I had rented. I figured I had ridden enough that night and that I should get some rest to prepare for the race the following day. In the morning, I awoke to clear blue skies and below-freezing temperatures. At that point a thought ran through my head, “<em>This is ‘Cross!!!!</em>”

U29 B Men’s Race

I won’t bore you with an account of my warm-up and preparation; instead I will simply begin with the 15 minutes before the start. I arrived at the starting area pretty warm. As I waited for the officials and all the rest of my competitors, my temperature faded from luke-warm to slushy. I jumped and moved my legs to keep them from turning into ice.

The officials finally arrived and gave us our race instructions, which could be summed up in these few words, “Be careful, it’s icy.” They also announced that call-ups would be random and based off of the last digit of our race number. My number was 315. First they called 8, then 4, 7, 9, 0, 3, 1, 2, 6, and 5. What crappy luck!

Finally, I approached the line and picked my way into the middle of the group. I shed my warm-up jacket and then a few minutes later the official fired the gun. If there I had been a bullet in the start gun, I would have been able to match its speed. I rocketed forward, picking off competitors left and right. We made a left turn onto the snowy course and the fun began!

The course was made up of a singletrack section of hard-packed snow and then loose, bumpy snow on either side. I moved my way into the top ten before the second turn, and then tried to get even further ahead.  As I came around the second turn, I moved to pass the guy in front of me by taking the outside line, hit a section of rough snow, lost control of the bike, and slid out. This was the beginning of the end of my race.

I remounted and began to move ahead, but the leaders were already more than 30 seconds ahead of me. I continued around the course; more conservatively this time to keep me from crashing again.  I slid out again a few times, but it was nothing terribly bad. I pulled a scarf up over my mouth a few times to protect my lungs from the frigid air that seared through like alcohol on an open wound.

With three laps to go, I came around a downhill turn and hit a small patch of ice. Before I could even tell what was happening, my bike was behind me and my hip made hard contact with the icy surface. My hip had just hit the right spot to give me a “stinger” in my thigh muscle. Two riders came around me as I limped to my bike and remounted. I spent the remainder of the race chasing and eventually overtaking those two racers.

Despite the snow, ice, and impossible temperatures I finished the race with a smile on my face. I later went and checked the results: 23^rd. Not too bad for a national level race!! (Even though apparently there were only 38 starters…)

Recovery

No sooner did I finish then I rode to the car and turned on the heat to full blast. I slowly stripped out of my soggy, sweaty race clothes. As I began to thaw, a strange sensation developed in my right hip. It felt as though someone were poking it with a metal rod right where the muscle is the most sensitive.

When we arrived back at the motel, I ate a mini-fridgeful of food. Then I lay in bed and slept for 4 hours: I must have raced hard.

The next day, I slept in late. When I woke up my hip still hurt, but not as bad as the day before. I checked the race schedule and noticed that the course was open at noon for an hour. I decided that I might as well keep my eye on the course conditions to see how they’ve changed.

I meandered over to the course and took a look. There was more ice on the course than a bulk freezer! Even so, I couldn’t wait to get out there and race.

17-18 Men’s Race

I arrived several hours ahead of time so that I could get a superb course inspection. As I expected the course had ice, but it also had some gravel over-top that hadn’t been there yesterday. I watched the lines of the races before me, since I could tell that the race would be won by the rider with the smoothest lines (and pretty strong legs too).

I decided to get my warm-up near the start line so that I could just go straight to my start position. Fortunately, the officials based call-ups on order of registration which gave me a decent position in the third row.

I find it difficult to describe how the race went because when I race ‘cross I don’t exist in the normal universe. Instead, I’m somewhere in subspace traveling the speed of light and concentrating on the course ahead of me. The main thing that I can remember about the race is that I went from light speed to nothing… three times. In other words, I crashed.

Despite the crashes, I still managed to come in 24^th place which is no minor achievement when you consider my competition. I managed to keep enough time to not get lapped by some of the best juniors in the nation and in the world.

BONUS RACE: Clydesdales

Saturday night the Cross Crusade, an Oregon based team, promoted a Clydesdale and Athenas race. The Cross Crusade set the start time at 9 pm. Unseriousness: mandatory. Lights and costume: optional.

This race went a lot like the (in)famous Fifth Street Cross in that it lasted less than 20 minutes, attracted tons of beered-up racers, and featured plenty of crashes. The most interesting part of this race, aside from the chubby competitors, had to be the fans. The Clydesdale race took place at the over-21 ‘Cross Nationals Party, so obviously tons of rowdy, beered-up fans took to the course tape.

In the race I managed to work my way into what I surmise to be 4^th place, although I can not be certain since the “officials” (I use the term vaguely, since undoubtedly they were as under the influence of many fans) only placed the top 3 racers. Either way, I had a helluva good time racing around the course. I suspect that the behavior of the fans mimics that of European cyclocross fanatics.

The Return Trip

On the way back to Portland, we stopped at Mt. Hood so that I could go skiing. I had a blast! At some point, I decided to go down a black diamond trail and I nearly stranded myself. Fortunately, a local who works as a lift-operator skied down to me and gave me some tips. After that, we just kept skiing together and he kept giving me free lessons on how to improve my skiing. The next thing I knew, I had the ability to ski down black diamonds.

Monday night, I arrived home safely. In all honesty, this trip has changed me for a lifetime:  I gained invaluable insight into racing cyclocross in all conditions. I learned how to put together a well thought-out travel plan, and as an added bonus I learned how to ski really well.

I would like to say thank you to Bob Piacine, president of Guy’s Racing, for helping to make this trip a reality. On that note, I would like to thank my sponsors: Guy’s Bicycles, Liberty Flooring, Pennsylvania Orthopedics, and many more (a full list can be found here). I also have to thank Stephan Kincaid for allowing me to use his frame for my pit bike. Most of all, I must thank my parents for everything that they do.

The west side of town holds an odd mix of the hip and impoverished, the bohemian and the bourgeoisie, tramps and trust fund babies. It’s a fuzzy cultural borderland that keeps odd hours, a slumburb without a city to blame where beggars spend their change on dry espresso and microbrew growlers. The faces shift from street to street, house to house but it retains a consistent weirdness throughout.

Walking past a particularly dilapidated corner today i notice a cop car with the trunk open and figure it for the usual. Less than two weeks ago i had seen the sheriffs here, fat out of breath bastards back clapping each other over the sad fucker locked in the back of their prowler. Of course my initial reaction is disgust but then i see that one of them is removing bags of presents and the other a Christmas tree and decorations. i am more than typically unmoved and nostalgic about the holidays,that i will be the first to admit, but goddamn it if this doesn’t just stick me a bit, a genuine gesture of compassion and giving, of humanity from these fuckers. My instinct is to  justify it quickly as a simple case of some fascists buying the love and loyalty of the poor or just another pig trying to make amends for betraying his own roots, the master’s favored dog tossing a few scraps to the pack. Still, people can surprise you with their intent and insight.

A little girl runs from the dirty beige apartment building, bleach-faded hand-me-down jeans and thrift store sweatshirt, dirty enough to be a goddamn matchstick girl, i swear to you. She is smiling widely, as wide as the sun or as any kid has ever smiled and she is ivory pale with a shock of bright red hair. That pig-fucker, actually bows his head as he extends his left hand and offers her the presents. The girl accepts them, visibly pleased and leads him inside. My head reels and i stop there in the middle of the street staring in awe until the other one, the tree-toting doughnut-bag, sees me and i start adding up my beard my, backpack, and the dark circles under my eyes. Even to me it equals probable cause so i move on and try to hold the feeling like a mantra at my heart.

Due to the amazing response we have been getting, we have decided to extend our hours! We will be open WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY this weekend! Same time and place as before: 10am – 6pm, at 61515 American Loop, Bend, OR 97702.

Why are we doing this?

Because it is the last weekend of the bazaar, we wanted to make sure that we gave you plenty of time to come in and do all of your last minute shopping! We have lots of new items, we have restocked the very popular jams and jellies that we ran out of about a week ago, and we will have a fresh shipment of unique culinary gifts! Of course, most of our items are one of a kind, so get in early for the best selection!

We are also offering Gift Certificates for Coops and Greenhouses!

Is there someone on your list who has you stumped in terms of presents? Give them the gift of sustainability! This has been an especially popular gift for children and families this year. Coops and Greenhouses will be built in the new year, just in time  for spring – but if you purchase them now (or begin a payment plan before the end of the year) you will qualify for this year’s rates. Next spring we will be raising our prices slightly, so get in on a deal while you still can!

See you this weekend!

Are we experiencing the end of the second golden age of golf?  Do you remember the first?  Having just celebrated my 55th birthday last week I am old enough to remember the first big growth of the game of golf in the 60’s.  Back then is was due primarily to the true king of golf, Arnie, and his army.  I remember those days quite well.  Going to the public course in my home town in Missouri with my father and pulling his  pull cart while I learned how to behave, and how the game was supposed to be played.  Golf back then was for everyone.  It was inexpensive.  Courses were so-so, but they were what we needed.  They provided a great way to get exercise,  and for me time with my father.

In the 80’s and 90’s we saw the next big explosion in golf primarily due to the efforts of promotion of the National Golf Foundation, The USGA, and the PGA of America.  During this time the number of golfers, and golf courses, grew dramatically.  One thing that came with growth however, was the realization that golf was big business.  Most of the golf courses built-in the mid 80’s through the early 2000’s were higher end, expensive, and fancy modern golf courses.  Golf is truly unique in the sports world.  It is the only sport where each venue is totally different.  There are no rules as to the size, or dimensions of the course.  And, it is the only sport where the surrounding real estate  is part of the development.  This surrounding real estate is what made this development explosion possible.  Selling the real estate made paying for the development of the course a reality, and spurred on the pursuit of bigger, fancier, and more exclusive courses at increasingly higher costs. 

This is where the average golfing public got priced out of golf.  That public golf course in my home town is still  around $25 to play, and that’s on the weekend.  And, it is truly a fun, good test of golf.  Now that the economy has dropped dramatically we are seeing the golf industry also having its issues.  Courses are not full.    Higher end developments are not selling out their real estate.  Some are closing down, and many are going bankrupt.  I spent many of my last years in the golf business trying to impress upon the powers to be that it was in all of our best interests to keep the cost of golf at a more reasonable rate so we could fill our courses, and make everyone happy, including the investors.  Many of the courses that I worked at continued, instead, to raise fees to try to make ends meet  and continued to have a course operating at maybe 60% capacity. 

Now, I think, ”the times they are a changing”, and courses are figuring out they have to be competitive to stay in business.  Just like real estate,  golf  is starting to be a buyer’s market.  What does that mean?  Golf developments are having to lower prices, include more amenities, and come up with  more incentives to attract golfers (buyers).  I say it is about time!  Afterall, golf is a game.  I can have as much fun, and have nearly as much challenge on Shifferdecker Municipal Golf Course in Joplin, Mo, my hometown,   as I can if I was paying $200.  When considering the “pain” of paying that $200 I would say maybe more fun.

Bend, Oregon where I live is the perfect example of all of this.  We have around 25 courses within a half hour drive with an area population nearing 200,000.  Many of those built within the last 15 years, and most of those what I would call on the high-end.  We are seeing our share of problems in Oregon with very high unemployment and a real estate market that went up way to fast, and has also come down way to far.  Because of all of this we are starting to see competition in the golf market.  Finally the courses are offering deals to join, or to come play.  I, for one, am glad to see it.  I think this is healthy.  As we start to fill up the courses some of the pressure will be off of making all the income from the real estate.  The real estate has its issues, but that is a topic for another blog.

Play, golfers, and course construction are down.  I think all will start to pick up, but hopefully more in the favor of the players.  Kind of sounds like real estate buyers, doesn’t it? 

Please don’t get me wrong.  I love golf, and specializing in golf real estate, but something had to change.  I do not think the industry can survive catering to one segment of the population.  Golf is for everyone, and I think we are returning to that.   Maybe we are entering the 3rd golden age.   I sure hope so!

Until we meet again.  Happy holidays, and give someone the game of golf for a present. 

Dan Heater

Principal Broker-Windermere Central Oregon Real Estate

Licensed Broker in Oregon

Free call pick up and delivery.

No contracts required. One-time service / weekly service / monthly service (your choice).

Up to 50 Items of Clothing. Any of the following items: shirts, jeans,pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, linens, etc.

Please call 561-290-0432

Currently servicing:

Boca Raton
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Does not include:  South and West Broward, North Palm Beach or Miami.

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It is common to stumble upon a legend, myth or curious tale that often adds colour to journeys. They maybe quite mundane and physical at times whereas imaginative and ethereal at others!

One such story is from one of our earliest journeys, to Talakkad – a quiet town along the banks of river Cauvery (mythologically, the name Talakkad seems to have been derived from the names of two brothers – ‘Tala’ and ‘Kada’). The work was to document in detail the Keertinarayana Temple, which had then been recently excavated out of sand-dunes. Sand-dunes? On a river bank? Wondered we, till we saw mounds of sand, as if they had been tailor-made for some occasion!… We were given a scientific explanation for the sand-dunes that Talakkad was situated along a bend in the river whereby incoming winds deposited sand, eventually leading to dune formation. Quite logical, indeed!

As we settled in with our work, locals offered their warm hospitality in return for patient replies to their curiosities. That’s when another story was unfolded to us about the dunes!According to them, several centuries ago when Wodeyar of Mysore gained victory over Vijayanagara by defeating Rangaraya, the latter’s wife left with the temple jewels to safe-guard them. But tired of being relentlessly chased by Wodeyar’s soldiers, she ended her journey in the depths of river Cauvery at Talakkad after cursing Talakkad and the Wodeyars of barrenness – Talakkad barren with sand-dunes and Wodeyars with lack of heirs!!  Though I don’t ponder much into the truths of myths and tales beyond the fact that they give a new dimension to my journey and work, this story seemed to fit in well as both remain so till date!

Besides the story, the place holds significance in Hindu religion for its temples and the Panchalinga darshan – visit of Shiva temples during some rare astrological occurrence, and in history as a prominent city during reigns of the Gangas, the Cholas and the Hoysalas besides the Vijayanagara kings and Wodeyars who picture in the story.

Being an architect and our work having involved the detailed documentation and condition assessment of the temple structure, I thought that it might interest a few readers a little more on the architecture of Keertinarayana Temple. A stellar plan with Pradakshina pada, Kakshasana, Mandapa, Navaranga mandapa, Antarala and Garbhagriha form the main temple. The structure was erected on a sand-filled plinth and no other foundation than the rock boulders of the riverbank. Granite served as the main construction material, but walls had in-fills of bricks and mud. The Navaranga mandapa captures maximum attention and admiration being constructed of lathe-turned greenish-black soapstone (chloritic schist) pillars polished to the finesse of silk! Corbelled stone slabs provide support to the lime concrete roof above. A simple construction with fine ornamental detailing makes the structure equally appealing to both the trained and the lay eyes!

Photograph and images courtesy: ADHAAR team

The last time I volunteered for an organization (except Bindlestiff) was when I was living in Bend, Oregon, more than a year ago. I was producing for a morning television show there, but had no idea what Bend was all about. I moved there only because I wanted a television job, not because I found something spectacular about the place (at least not initially). In fact, during my phone interview, my then boss asked me why Bend, and instead of being honest: “well I have to start somewhere”, I guessed: “trees, I like the trees, uhhmm, the nature scenery I mean”. Needless to say, it worked. I got the job and worked there for about a year.

Anyway,  my job required compiling news stories and knowing what’s newsworthy for the people in Bend and other parts of Central Oregon. I thought the only way to find out what’s newsworthy is to get to the know our audience, and the best way to do that is to engage with them through community volunteering. So every weekend, I made a point to volunteer.

More than a year has passed and I’m now back in the Bay Area. Since then, I haven’t really made an effort to volunteer my time, probably because I don’t find the Bay Area that foreign (at least not anymore, after arriving from the Philippines twelve years ago). But it’s the holiday season once again and the spirit of giving is in the air, so I thought, why not.

I didn’t want to wait until one of my friends is free to go with me, or one of the organizations I like, start putting out an event. I planned to just do it, without excuses. Besides, choosing an event was easy. I get email updates about upcoming events from one of the groups I’ve featured in one of my video journalism stories. Anyway, I got an email about a “Stone Stone Dinner”, by the San Jose Low-Income Self Help Center. According to the email: “Stone Soup is a folktale about villagers who think they don’t have enough food to feed hungry travelers who ask them for help. However, they eventually discover that with everyone contributing a little food, a delicious soup can be made which is plenty to feed everyone.” I thought it was a neat concept so I decided to check it out.

Funny enough, as soon as I arrived, people asked me if I was from the press. I guess they notice my still camera, or they were asking because they’ve never seen me before. I told them I was there only to volunteer and the photos are for my blog, but I did offer to email them copies of the photos.

People have a choice between beef and vegetarian soup. They also have other entrees to choose from the buffet table.

After eating, each one of us introduced ourselves and explained why we were there.

The main organizers, Katherine and Peggy, receiving an award in behalf of the center. The award was granted by the San Jose Peace and Justice Center (presented by the lady in the middle)

Peggy, one of the organizers

The soup I got

After helping setting up the food, I found myself mingling with the rest of the folks. I learned that most of them seem to have a progressive political leaning. One lady named Essie, said she was part of a political group called “Raging Grandmas”, which organizes peace vigils and  progressive documentary screenings. She also said everybody in her family is progressive and none served in the military. On top of that, she also told me her niece is a renowned  NBC journalist, Jamie Paksima, who moved to Africa and is now doing stories about the people there.

Essie (lady on the right) and friend, talking about the war in Afghanistan

Anyway, after the chat over dinner, we briefly introduced ourselves one by one. And after a few announcements, it was “Stone Soup” story telling time.

Please check out the video to watch the story telling, though I have to say it was a bit long, but just in case you want to know the whole story, here it is:

I had such great time and met some nice folks, so I encourage YOU to volunteer your time as well. Choose your favorite organization or a random one that you haven’t checked out yet. Remember, a little goes a long way.

WHAT DO YOU RECOGNIZE??

“If you’re brilliant and open-minded, you can start at the top.”

- Spoon-bender, Uri Geller

Just For Now – Imogen Heap

ever heard of a popcorn cone? me either. but it’s amazing! one of our clients sent us bunches and they’re wonderful

dropping off application for a good apartment today. cross your fingers!

then its off to team dinner.

and later, the sprint store! duh da duh! not exciting unless i get my damn phone fixed. driving me nuts.

_______________

and that was yesterday’s ramblings i never finished.

today is my middle of the week bliss. always have hump day off.

application dropping off went well, just hope i get it because not too much else is looking good.

missed team dinner due to the wonders of 5 o’clock traffic. but i had yummy pizza from bellagio’s with mr. frankie. and i have leftovers for lunch this week, so i’ll have real food at work instead of random snacks that only pretend to be a real lunch.

and no sprint store either. i’ve decided 5 o’clock traffic screws up lots of plans. so sprint store today instead.

i don’t remember winters in portland being this cold before. not including last year. it’s just absolutely freezing outside.

sarah graduates friday! she has her last presentation for her thesis. then she’s DONE DONE DONE. =D very exciting. i hope she doesn’t move too far away. although i have a sneaking suspicion her and az may move to bend in not too long. we’ll see tho.

feeling uninspired to write anything today. probably because i haven’t done much/ventured outside into the cold world. time to shower, pick up frankie, and head to sprint. over and out.

]]> http://betrulyfit.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/ashtanga-yoga-the-7-disciplines-interview-with-lucas-rockwood/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:15:46 +0000 betrulyfit http://betrulyfit.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/ashtanga-yoga-the-7-disciplines-interview-with-lucas-rockwood/

Interview with Lucas Rockwood: Yoga Teacher & Nutritional Coach

Lucas, you have an impressive background that combines personal practice with formal study.  After all that searching and research, what is your personal workout program?   

Lucas:  “My main practice is Ashtanga Yoga as traditionally taught by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in India. It’s a solid 90-minute practice, very athletic, physically demanding and somewhat complicated, to be perfectly honest. What makes it unique from other workouts including other forms of yoga are 3 key elements:  it is physically demanding, it flows sequentially through postures linked by breath, and it is primarily a self-practice done at your own pace.”

One of the things I love about Ashtanga is that the focus is on moving your own body without outside equipment or interference.  That said, what does the average person need in order to add the Ashtanga workout to their exercise program?

Lucas:  “I generally use nothing but an old yoga mat and practice rug, and I practice without any special clothes or gear with the one exception being my new Yoga Trapeze which I find invaluable for spine strength and flexibility.

I’ve always practiced loads by myself, at home. But I have discipline to burn. One of my greatest abilities is commitment and follow-through, and most people don’t have it. I don’t know why, but I know it’s true. And that’s OK. They should go to class. Find a hard-line teacher who keeps you working hard and go as often as possible. Five days per week is good at first. Three-to-four is OK, but five-to-six is better.

 As far as space goes, I just need enough space to put the mat down. In small hotel rooms, I’ll turn the bed on its side or stack furniture. I have nice sized studio in my flat now, but I’m not bothered by practicing in small spaces.”

The 7 Disciplines provide a framework for creating a workout that will make you truly fit.  Which of the 7 Disciplines are used in the Ashtanga workout?

Lucas:  “I do everything except coordination work. I suppose some of what I do involves coordination—but certainly not much. Since I’m terribly uncoordinated, perhaps that’s why I avoid it.”

Lucas! The Ashtanga workout – - and most forms of yoga – - are packed with Coordination work.  Under the 7 Disciplines, Coordination is defined as a variety of physical movements that train the body’s sense of timing, muscle control and accuracy. Coordination is not just the ability to balance a soccer ball on your toe—it is the ability to do so quickly, with little preparation. You can get better Coordination from practicing the rapid change of direction in soccer, but you can also get it from the complex movements in Sun Salutation B.

Ok, let’s break a 90 minute Ashtanga session down by Discipline. What exactly are you getting for your time?
 

Lucas:  Strength:  Sun salutations are great for building whole-body strength. I love them. I also do push-ups, pull-ups, long hold arm balances, and core work.

You know Lucas, Sun Salutation B is a perfect example of how Ashtanga is a complete 7 Disciplines workout.  You get Strength from the push ups and warriors, Cardio from the constant, flowing movement, Flexibility from the forward bends, Coordination from the complex movements shifting back and forth between warriors, Inversion from Downward Facing, Twist/Bend in the forward bend and Balance from Warrior and Chair.  Whew!  Do you think you use any one of the Disciplines more than the other?   (Watch Lucas demo Sun Saluation B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8XuasdSpFU)

Lucas:  “Since my primary practice is yoga, it’s fairly integrated.”

Ashtanga sounds like a lot of work, why stick with it? 

 Lucas:  “I’ve had a daily practice since 2002, so feeling good feels normal—but I certainly feel more energy, lighter, more focus. I don’t bother doing anything until I do my practices because life is just not as juicy. Life is better when you’re fit. I’ve been unfit. So I know.

My advice?  Go nuts. Get obsessed. It’s your health. No one ever looks back and thinks, “Oh, I really should have exercised less.” It’s always time well spent.” 

Lucas is a yoga teacher trainer, nutritional coach, vegan chef, and writer. He studied raw food nutrition with Gabriel Cousens at The Tree of Life in Arizona, and later went on to run Caravan of Dreams, New York City’s long-standing, iconic vegetarian restaurant.

First in Los Angeles and New York City, than later in Bangkok and Hong Kong, he has studied, taught, and experimented extensively with Bikram Yoga, Hot & Ashtanga Yoga and nutrition.  In 2006, he co-founded Absolute Yoga & The Love Kitchen, a yoga studio and health food restaurant on Koh Samui island that is the retreat location for his trainings, workshops, and detoxification programs. 

He is also the founder and director of YOGABODY Naturals LLC, a nutritional supplement and education company catering specifically to bendy-bodied yoga students. LEARN MORE HERE

The now infamous Homwaters Club, is looking at expanding it’s “private” fishing club to Bend, Oregon. They successfully privatized almost 30 miles of river in Pennsylvania three years ago.

It was a giant battle that caused huge commotion within Trout Unlimited. TU gave in to the privatization but several western Chapters and individuals members rose up in arms against the lack of courage from TU National. TU National says that they cannot take a stand on protecting public waterways, because they have so many large donors (brain donors?) that support privatization. It’s still a tense standoff within TU today. Western Chapters and members are warily guarding their public waters, and must apply to national board for blessing of their actions. Local Oregon TU has made protecting public river rights a core of their political platform. Lets hope they persist in being so very active on this issue despite the discouragement from their national overlord.

So check out how Donny Beaver and his Homewaters Club are eyeing Bend Oregon for expansion of their private waters. http://www.homewatersclub.com/FAQ/Faq.asp

6. What about plans for the future? Will HomeWaters be expanding?
In 2001, the club began with two miles and six members. Seven years later, we now have over 75 miles and 180 members. During the next decade, HomeWaters will explore expansion options into the Shenandoah Valley, the western Carolinas, southwest Colorado, the Ozarks, Catskills, Jackson Hole, Park City, northern California and Bend, Oregon.

It’s critical that Oregonians keep a watchful eye and keep our rivers public.

Yup… Elbee sent this, and yes, that silver car is parked on a junction and also blocking a dip allowing pushchairs and wheelchairs up…. not that the dip will help people along their way as the black saloon car is parked across the pavement, as is the small silver compact car further down the path…

A jungle of crap parking!

Oy vey mir, my brain is tired.  Finishing up writing many, many pages of marketerese for Roll35, which encompasses embedding keywords and happy shiny thoughts in fifteen different ways, and my brain is now fried for the day.  There are limits to my powers, cap’n, the engines, they will na’ take any morrrrre…

Very much looking forward to Thanksgiving not so much for turkey but just a few days off.  And I’m doing this job for free right now!  (Although we are very, very likely looking at actual pay in the near future, so watch this space).

Friday I’m having a holiday/housewarming shindig at the condo, so I’ll be hitting the stores for the makings for my famed artichoke-jalapeno dip and other tasty comestibles.  Oh, by the way, the pumpkin vodka I was making?  Dee-lish, and it’s even got a cool natural orange color.  So pumpkin-tinis will be made in the near future as well.

And I said I was going to make a pie, too.   That’s the trouble with being Chef Dave, Master Cook of the Palouse.  This is my gift.  This is my curse.

AMCD also spotted this one… no blue lights on top, so a lot more clean cut….

I really hate this type of parking as well, so I appreciate getting pictures like this.

If a car was to turn in right to this junction… and the child had stepped out onto the road to get around the parked car… well… you can see the result. The turning car wouldn’t see the child until the last minute…

Het Wetenschappelijk Instituut voor Volksgezondheid telde in 2008 1079 nieuwe hiv-besmettingen. Vooral homomannen met de Belgische nationaliteit lopen een verhoogd risico op infectie.

Persbericht: Nieuwe Hiv-diagnoses bij homomannen blijven stijgen

In 2008 noteerde het Wetenschappelijk Instituut voor Volksgezondheid 1.079 nieuwe diagnoses met hiv in Belgiė. Het aantal nieuwe diagnoses dat in Belgiė wordt vastgesteld, blijft al ongeveer zes jaar rond de duizend schommelen. Van de nieuwe diagnoses in 2008 kennen we niet van iedereen het geslacht, de nationaliteit en de waarschijnlijke overdrachtswijze.

400 van het aantal nieuwe diagnoses wordt vastgesteld bij mensen die geen Belgische nationaliteit hebben, 363 bij Belgen.

Sinds 2000 is er een toename van het aantal nieuwe diagnoses bij Belgen. 88% van de nieuwe diagnoses bij Belgen worden vastgesteld bij mannen. In bijna acht op de tien gevallen werden deze mannen waarschijnlijk besmet via homoseksuele overdracht. Dat is een stijging met 20% ten opzichte van het voorgaande jaar. Deze toename van diagnoses bij homomannen begon in 2000. In 2010 zal Sensoa haar preventie-inspanningen naar homomannen nog verhogen.

Cijfers

Van de 363 nieuwe diagnoses vastgesteld bij Belgen verliepen er 245 via homoseksuele contacten. Ongeveer een derde van de nieuwe diagnoses bij Belgen gebeurde via heteroseksuele overdracht. In 2007 was er al een toename van het aantal nieuwe diagnoses bij homomannen, een stijging die in 2008 wordt verder gezet.

Bij de 400 diagnoses bij niet-Belgen merken we bij mannen ook een toename van diagnoses veroorzaakt door homoseksuele contacten, een verdubbeling sinds 2000. Daarbij gaat het in de eerste plaats over mannen uit buurlanden, waar eveneens een stijging wordt opgetekend van het aantal nieuwe diagnoses onder homomannen. De stijging in Belgiė past dus binnen een internationaal fenomeen. Toch is het merendeel van de diagnoses bij niet-Belgen, vastgesteld in Belgiė, veroorzaakt door heteroseksuele overdracht. Dit weerspiegelt dan weer de epidemie in Sub-Saharaans Afrika, waar Belgiė nog steeds nauwe banden mee heeft.

Oorzaken

De oorzaken van het hoge aandeel van homomannen zijn zeer divers en complex, en werken op elkaar in. Belangrijkste oorzaak is wellicht dat er meer mannen met hiv binnen een relatief kleine groep voorkomen. Wanneer veel hiv voorkomt in een relatief kleine groep, is het risico om met hiv in contact te komen veel groter.

De doelgroep homomannen heeft meer wisselende contacten dan de heteroseksuele bevolking en hun relaties hebben vaker een meer open karakter. Een kleine minderheid van de doelgroep heeft een zeer grote seksuele activiteit. Het aanbod van plaatsen binnen het homomilieu en op internet waar men relatief makkelijk seksuele contacten kan leggen, is groot. Ook wordt hiv bij anale seks makkelijker overgedragen.

Een andere oorzaak is het toegenomen aantal besmettingen met seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen (soa) binnen de doelgroep. Iemand met hiv die besmet is met een soa , besmet sneller anderen met hiv. Omgekeerd geldt ook dat iemand met een soa ontvankelijker is voor een besmetting met hiv.

Maar homomannen vormen voor hiv niet alleen de grootste risicogroep, zij leveren ook de grootste preventie-inspanningen. Naar schatting 60 % neemt geen enkel risico met hiv. Dit aandeel blijft min of meer constant, ook na vijfentwintig jaar hiv-bedreiging. 40% heeft het moeilijk om het vrijen veilig te houden. Meestal gaat het daarbij om sporadisch onveilige contacten, slechts een kleine minderheid neemt geen voorzorgen. Maar, in een groep waarin het aantal dragers van hiv op vijf jaar met 50% is toegenomen, leidt ook beperkt risicogedrag tot meer besmettingen.

Respons

Deze cijfers zijn geen verrassing voor Sensoa. Ook in onze buurlanden merkt Sensoa dezelfde trends. De voorbije vier jaar is er dan ook in toenemende mate geļnvesteerd in preventie naar de doelgroep homomannen .
Dat resulteerde in een aantal vernieuwende initiatieven zoals de website www.mannenseks.be.

Gemiddeld vier preventiecampagnes per jaar met heldere, confronterende preventieboodschappen sensibiliseren homomannen in de homohoreca en op internet. Bijvoorbeeld over het feit dat 1 op 20 homomannen besmet is met hiv. Vrijwel alle Vlaamse homozaken, waar homomannen seks kunnen hebben, profileren zich als een Safe Sex Zone: condooms en glijmiddel zijn er gratis of makkelijk verkrijgbaar en preventiemateriaal van Sensoa is er duidelijk aanwezig en wordt goed gedistribueerd.

Ook met holebi-organisaties als Ēavaria en Wel Jong Niet Hetero en met het Instituut voor Tropische Gezondheid werkt Sensoa nauw samen om de aandacht voor de hiv-problematiek binnen het homomilieu te garanderen.

In 2010 zal Sensoa extra inzetten op sensibiliserende en informerende acties op het terrein om zo de zichtbaarheid van hiv in de homogemeenschap nog te verhogen. Een jaar lang zal alle preventiewerk in het teken staan van ‘Talk Positive’, de grootste Vlaamse campagne ooit naar homomannen. De campagne wil aanzetten tot betere afspraken tussen partners, homomannen die zich sneller op hiv en soa laten testen en last but not least: consequent condooms gebruiken.

Om het aantal nieuwe infecties te doen dalen, is echter meer nodig dan informeren en sensibiliseren. Er is extra wetenschappelijk onderzoek nodig om een scherp profiel af te bakenen van de groepen die het hoogste risicogedrag vertonen. Daarnaast dringt Sensoa er bij de federale overheid op aan om werk te maken van een gecoördineerd aidsbeleid in Belgiė, iets wat tot op heden ontbreekt. Dit moet onder meer zorgen voor extra stimulansen om het zorg- en preventieaanbod beter op elkaar af te stemmen. Sensoa  is ook vragende partij voor meer gespecialiseerde testcentra en meer counseling voor (seropositieve) homomannen.

Het gehele cijferwerk vind je hier.

Hiv-besmettingen in België
2008: 1.079
2007: 1.051
2006: 1.014
2005: 1.074
2004: 1.002
2003: 1.052
2002: 989